The arrival of a new baby is always a cause for joy and celebration, but what if the delivery happens too soon? Certain factors may increase a woman’s risk, but the reality is that many who have a preterm baby can’t pinpoint an exact cause. However, there are some ways to reduce the possibility of a preterm birth. Read on for tips that may help.

Dial the doctor. Don’t delay in getting to the OB. The minute you think you could be pregnant, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Checking in regularly with your doctor will allow her to monitor your health and that of your new baby.

Drink right. This means sticking to low-fat milk, 100% juice, and water. You’ll definitely need to pass on the Pinot and, it goes without saying, ditch the cigarettes, too. Alcohol and other drugs may cause birth defects and increase the chance of a preterm birth, while smoking can impact the flow of oxygen to your new baby, which can slow weight gain and development.

Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese can up your risk of a preterm birth, so speak with your doctor about a smart eating and exercise plan for the duration of your pregnancy.

Fight germs. Yup, washing your hands matters when you’re pregnant, so hit the sink and use soap before meals and after visiting the bathroom. Additionally, try to avoid people who are obviously sick so that you stay healthy yourself.

Be Zen. Experiencing excessive stress when pregnant (whether it’s at home or in the office) can raise your blood pressure, which in turn may increase your risk of a preterm birth. Make an effort to scale back on work projects, household chores, and other commitments that may add to your stress level. Treat yourself well: catch a nap when you can, put your feet up with a good book, and exercise regularly.

Despite every effort, some moms-to-be still end up having a preterm birth. Because it can occur in women without any clear risk factors, don’t feel bad if your baby arrives too soon. Your doctor and the hospital staff will work with you to ensure your preemie is as healthy as she can possibly be.

It’s a fact of babyhood: All infants cry as a means of communication. And while your baby’s crying can be a little scary for a new mom, try to remember that for the most part, tears and screeches are expected and completely normal. However, a preemie may fuss a bit longer and more often than a full-term baby, so calming her down can be a delicate process. Try the following baby soothers with your preterm baby.

Hold her close: Your preemie will benefit greatly from “kangaroo care,” or being held skin-to-skin. Lying closely with mom (or dad!) helps your little one stay warm, cry less, stabilize her heartbeat, increase her weight, and improve her ability to breast- or bottle-feed. Find a private spot with a comfy chair and position your preemie so that she can lie underneath your clothing, directly on your chest. Your baby doesn’t need to wear anything expect a diaper because your body heat will keep her warm.

The right light: Your preterm baby has likely spent some time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before coming home. Some new babies become accustomed to this bright, busy place and may be easily soothed in a home environment that includes background noise or music. On the other hand, other preemies are more sensitive to the light and loud sounds they experienced in the NICU, so watch your little one’s cues to determine if you should dim the lights in her bedroom and keep her surroundings on the quiet side.

Relaxation is key: Most babies love to be swaddled because it reminds them of the calm, cozy feeling they enjoyed in the womb. A preemie will also benefit from the warmth and closeness of swaddling, so wrap yours snugly in a soft blanket when she starts to fuss. You can also ask your doctor about giving your preemie a pacifier, as many babies find non-nutritive sucking relaxing.

It takes time to get to know your baby, so don’t panic if the soothing technique you’re trying doesn’t seem to work right away. You’ll soon learn how much crying is normal for your preemie, and remember: You can always make a quick call to the pediatrician for advice and reassurance if you’re concerned about your baby’s crying.

The benefits of baby massage are well known: Babies are more relaxed, sleep better, cry less, and may even be healthier if they get a routine rubdown. And because a baby knows the scent of her mom (and her breast milk) and can recognize other calming smells she’s encountered before, adding soothing aromas to your new baby’s massage routine is a smart idea. But certain scents may not be appropriate for your new baby. To be safe, follow these tips.

Safety’s first: Speak with your doctor before using any kind of scent during your baby’s massage. She may not recommend a scented baby massage oil for infants less than 3 months of age, as sensitive skin may be a factor. Never allow your baby to ingest essential oils and be very careful not to apply it near the eyes or mouth; you’ll also want to avoid massaging your new baby’s hands as she will likely try to suck her fingers or rub her eyes during or after the massage.

Shop around: There are many specially-made scented baby massage products on the market, so take a look (and a whiff!) to determine which ones might be appealing. Lavender is a popular, calming scent, as is chamomile, apricot, and vanilla. If you want to use an essential oil, speak with your baby’s doctor about a formula to dilute it.

Make it routine: As you may know, babies are creatures of habit and tend to thrive on a regular routine. Schedule your baby massage at about the same time each day (after bath time and just before bed is ideal). Use the same scent each time, too. Your new baby will be relaxed not only by the familiar smell, but also by the fact that she can count on this special treat.

Your own aroma: The most soothing scent you can provide during a baby massage comes from your own body. Here’s your chance to skip a shower -- your baby prefers your natural scent!

Take advantage of your new baby’s smart and sensitive nose. Adding soothing scents to her baby massage will increase her pleasure and add to an already relaxing experience.

Now that you have a new baby, it’s likely your husband isn’t the only one snoring away at night. As many moms learn, some newborns are also noisy night breathers, emitting sounds very much like snores. Rest assured, this racket is common and isn’t usually cause for concern. Here, some reasons behind the snores and remedies for helping your new baby have a quieter night’s sleep.

Baby Snore Reason #1: She’s still little. Your newborn’s airways are narrow and filled with lots of drool, so her breathing may sound bubbly, wheezy, and downright loud. This baby snoring will gradually lessen and should eventually disappear as she ages, since her airways will get bigger and she’ll learn how to better swallow her saliva.

Baby Snore Reason #2: The common cold. Mild sickness, like an upper respiratory infection, can disrupt your baby’s sleep and affect her breathing, making it sound like she’s snoring at night.

Baby Snore Remedy #1: Just before bedtime, take your baby into the bathroom and run hot water in the shower to create an at-home spa. Standing in the steam may help to clear your new baby’s breathing passages. You could also add moist air to her room by setting up a warm-mist humidifier.

Baby Snore Remedy #2: Dirt and other household particles can irritate tiny nasal passages, which in turn may exacerbate your baby’s snoring. Make a habit of vacuuming well a couple of times a week and washing items that tend to attract dust.

Keep track of your baby’s snores, even recording them so you can learn whether her sounds are changing in any way. If her snoring is loud and occurs on a regular basis, or if you find that your infant’s breathing seems labored, speak with her pediatrician, as it could be a sign of something more serious. Rest assured, though, a few little nighttime gurgles and grunts during the first months of your new baby’s life are usually nothing to worry about.

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

Chances are that as a mom-to-be, you read up on baby development statistics and may even know the details by heart. But if you have a preterm birth, you’ll need to readjust your expectations. Technically, a preterm birth is the arrival of a baby after less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, though your doctor may also define the birth as “late preterm” (34-37 weeks of pregnancy), “very preterm” (less than 32 weeks) or “extremely preterm” (less than 25 weeks). But don’t worry: Preemies tend to develop and grow well, though for a while they’ll lag behind their full-term friends. Here’s what you need to know about your preemie’s growth and development.

Do the math. In order to track your baby’s development, you’ll need to adjust her age. For example, if your baby is 10 weeks old, but was born 5 weeks prematurely, subtract 5 from 10 and you’ll see that she’s actually 5 weeks old in terms of reaching milestones. So while a full-term baby should make eye contact and smile socially by 2 months of age, you’ll need to wait 5 more weeks to see these tricks from your preemie.

Look for improvement. Just because your preemie is progressing at a different rate than others doesn’t mean she won’t be moving forward. Take note of each skill she masters (crawling, waving, walking) and be sure to let the doctor know if she seems to be losing ground (she used to be sitting up well, but now she’s toppling over, for example).

Hold her close. A preemie will benefit greatly from “kangaroo care” or being held skin-to-skin. Lying closely with mom (or dad!) will help boost your preemie’s development in many ways: She’ll cry less, her heartbeat tends to stabilize, her weight may increase, and it’ll improve her ability to breast- or bottle-feed. Find a private spot with a comfy chair and position your preemie so that she can lie underneath your clothing, directly on your chest. Your baby doesn’t need to wear anything except a Pampers diaper because your body heat will keep her warm.

Compared to other babies you know, your preemie’s growth may seem slow at times, but know that this is normal. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns, and remember that, whether or not you can imagine it now, your tiny new baby will soon turn into a boisterous big kid. So savor these precious baby days!